6 ANCIENT EARTHWORKS IN EPPING FOREST.
forest is dense and the surface irregular, after crossing a
narrow valley, I have met with a ridge running east and
west, overgrown with trees, and not like the others in con-
struction. Thus far we have lighted upon four short banks,
and having regard to their position and forms, may I not
suggest that the three first on the north belong to Ambres-
bury, and that the one on the south belongs to the Loughton
camp ? The peculiarity of these small works is my reason
or apology for attaching importance to them. If this locality
is further examined, and it is impossible to do it thoroughly
in the summer, perhaps something more may be discovered.
Although I have rambled over the greater part of Epping
Forest in search of archaeological traces I have found very few
of a definite character beyond those above indicated. Those
which have most excited my curiosity are in the vicinity of
the Loughton works, a little to the east, and may perhaps
yield certain results hereafter. At present I am not justi-
fied in speaking decidedly about them.
It will be apparent that in the foregoing notes I have not
aimed at more than a brief record of what I have seen ; but
this may serve to stimulate to a further investigation. I
may be permitted in conclusion to observe that Essex is full
of early historical memories, and that the same is true of the
parts of Hertfordshire which are adjacent. Britons, Romans,
and Saxons were very busy in those quarters, and the
district was traversed by Roman roads in various directions.
One of these roads seems to have passed from Stratford north-
wards, very near to both the camps which form the subject of
this paper. That such camps should be found in a forest is
anything but strange. To whatever periods they belong,
they must be classed with the more curious and venerable
monuments of the county. The preservation of the forest
will fortunately secure them from further perils, and they
will henceforth suffer only from the slow operations of time.
Being easily reached from the metropolis, to which they
lie so near, they will no doubt receive from Archaeologists
the attention they merit.